Quezon City continues to cement its position as a champion of LGBTQIA+ rights in the Philippines, with the local government demonstrating unwavering commitment to protecting and empowering the queer community. This Saturday’s landmark commitment ceremony brought together 129 couples to publicly declare their love and commitment, marking the sixth consecutive year the Quezon City Government has organized this meaningful celebration under its Gender and Development Council Office.
Since the program’s inception in 2020, over 1,044 LGBTQIA+ couples have participated in these ceremonies, a powerful evidence to QC’s dedication to recognizing same-sex relationships in a nation where marriage equality remains pending at the national level. You know what? under City Ordinance 3417 (Series 2025), known as the Complete Anti-Discrimination Policy on the Basis of Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression and Sex Characteristics, Quezon City has expanded protections and recognition for LGBTQIA+ individuals in unprecedented ways. Here’s the thing:
Know Your Rights: Medical Decision-Making Power
One of the most game-changing initiatives emerging from QC’s progressive stance is the “Right to Care” card program. These cards empower same-sex partners to consent to, refuse, or withdraw medical services on behalf of their significant other, a critical safeguard that many queer couples have fought for nationwide. Following the card’s implementation in 2023, Mayor Joy Belmonte emphasized the profound impact: “We want all of our residents, regardless of sexual orientation, to be with their partners in critical moments, and we are taking this important step to assure the rainbow community that they are cared for, recognized, and valued in Quezon City. “
For trans individuals and other marginalized community members, this protection extends beyond romantic relationships. Quezon City’s commitment to guaranteeing inclusive medical services for trans people represents a crucial step toward healthcare equity and dignity.
What This Means for Our Community
These aren’t just symbolic gestures, they’re real protections with life-changing implications. In the Philippines, where legal marriage remains unavailable to same-sex couples, Quezon City’s ordinances fill critical gaps, ensuring LGBTQIA+ residents have enforceable rights around healthcare decisions, employment protection, and public recognition. Here’s the thing:
As we continue advocating for national marriage equality and full SOGIE (Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Expression) protection laws, Quezon City’s example shows what local government can accomplish when it chooses justice over indifference. Know your rights, and know that some cities are fighting for you.
